Car sharing

Pay-per-trip car clubs, sometimes known as car sharing, allows individuals to have access to a personal vehicle without being tied to ownership. By offering low carbon, flexible use vehicles, car clubs can offer hassle-free access to a car when it is needed, but by not owning a car, it also encourages walking, cycling and public transport use for your main journeys.

There are two main models of car sharing; car clubs where an operator owns the car and hires it out by the hour or day to its members, and peer-to-peer car sharing where you hire your neighbours car, again by the hour, via an online platform. Both models take car of the insurance so you just need to book and go. Click below for more information.

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Woman rest against car club vehicle parked by the seaside
Using keycard to unlock car club vehicle
Blue car club vehicle parked up

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Car clubs

A car club provides hassle free access to a car when you need it, without having to own one. Cars are located on-street near to your home, available 24 hours a day and are bookable by the hour. You can access the car by using your membership card / app.

Car clubs are ideal for infrequent car users, or a great, low-cost alternative to a second car.

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Benefits of using a car club

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Low-cost access to a car – no purchase / leasing, insurance, tax, maintenance, parking permits etc.
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Access to electric and low carbon cars
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Majority of cars are less than 5 years old, giving you access to new cars with high safety ratings
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A variety of cars and vans are available so you can choose a 7-seater for larger group day trips, or a small city car for a short local trip
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No need to worry about parking your car at home, just return the car to its designated car club bay
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Encourages you to be more active and walk / cycle, as your car isn’t on your driveway

How to use a car club vehicle

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Book

Book a car online or by phone, weeks ahead or with just a few minutes’ notice, for anything from an hour to a weekend. Whatever works for you.

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Unlock

Unlock a car in your neighbourhood, parked in a designated parking bay. It’s clean and ready to go. Just swipe your smart card, get the keys from the car, and off you go.

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Drive

Drive for as long as you’ve booked it for (anything from an hour to a weekend or more) for an hourly rate from as little as £3.50. When you’ve finished, just return your car to the same location.

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Pay

It’s easy. Payment is taken from your account. You get a breakdown by email or text message. No forms, no fuss.

Car club locations

Use the map below to explore car club locations.

Peer-to-peer car sharing

Peer-to-peer car sharing is like an AirBnB for cars. You can hire a car from someone in your area, use it for your trip, and then return it back to its owner.

There is no membership fee, just an hourly rental and insurance cost, and you just need to return the car with the same level of fuel.

The listed cars need to meet certain criteria (age, insurance group etc), and all drivers need to go through verification. A lot of the cars will have tech installed which allows keyless entry, although for some, you will need to meet the owner to collect the keys.

Illustration for peer-to-peer car sharing

Benefits of using peer-to-peer platforms

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Low-cost access to a car – no purchase / leasing, insurance, tax, maintenance, parking permits etc.
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Find a car in your own neighbourhood
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More flexible than public transport, offering travel to locations less accessible by buses and trains
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A variety of cars are available so you can choose a 7-seater for larger group day trips, or a small city car for a short local trip
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Usually cheaper than renting a vehicle from a traditional rental-car company
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Encourages you to use active and public transport options more, as your car isn’t on your driveway

How to use peer-to-peer vehicles

Smart phone icon

Book

Book a car online, weeks ahead or with just a few minutes’ notice, for anything from an hour to a weekend. Whatever works for you.

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Padlock open icon

Unlock

Unlock the car using keyless entry on your smart phone or meet the owner to get the keys off them.

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Steering wheel icon

Drive

Drive for as long as you’ve booked it for (anything from an hour to a weekend or more) for an hourly rate from as little as £3.00. When you’ve finished, just return your car with the same level of fuel back to the owner.

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Credit card icon

Pay

It’s easy. Payment is taken from your account. You get a breakdown by email or text message. No forms, no fuss.

Peer-to-peer car sharing platforms

Check out the platforms below and see if there are cars in your area.

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